<p>I've made the decision on the degree I want to major in when I transfer to a 4 year and I picked history. I wanted to major in business, but I love history just as much. Most people think the only thing you can do with a history degree is being a teacher or historian, but you can also be a lawyer, politician, etc. Other than that though is a history degree useless as people say it is and what are some other job options you can do with a history degree?</p>
<p>H was a history major. Now an MD. (Of course he had to go back and take a few science classes. . .) I can’t say he really uses his history degree, but he impresses people with his vast knowledge of other stuff besides medicine ;)</p>
<p>In <a href=“University Graduate Career Surveys - #69 by ucbalumnus - Career Opportunities & Internships - College Confidential Forums”>University Graduate Career Surveys - #69 by ucbalumnus - Career Opportunities & Internships - College Confidential Forums; , the surveys listing employers and job titles by major (e.g. Berkeley, Cal Poly, CMU, Virginia Tech) indicate that most employed history graduates report jobs not specific to their history major, with some exceptions like history teacher.</p>
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<p>People that like to diss liberal arts majors generally either A) lack degrees themselves, or B) lack the critical-thinking skills that liberal arts degrees provide. Not all majors, specifically LA ones, prepare you for the job in the major. But they do help with writing clearly and communicating effectively (hence lawyers.) That is, assuming the students actually put in the time learning how to write well. You’re also more than open to getting a masters degree in a more marketable field, or double majoring in something more practical. </p>
<p>If you’re going to major in something, I think it’s advisable to major in something you enjoy. That’ll make doing the graded assignments easier, which will also make it easier to maintain a high GPA. That’ll be useful down the line in grad./professional schools should you choose to enroll in one.</p>
<p>The Georgetown study on unemployment showed that recent undergraduate History majors had unemployment of 10.2% compared to 8.9% of undergraduate degree holders. This is based on 2009 and 2010 data and I believe things have improved. I’d say do some internships to have any kind of work experience during your summers. You might look at what types of things are available in Washington. Museums, libraries, national archives, historical societies and any sort of government or political position.</p>
<p>Is knowledge useless? Do you want to be an educated person, or a cog in someone else’s corporate wheel? If you love history and also are interested in “business,” whatever that means, surely you can take sufficient quantitative/business classes to acquire significant skills in that area. Then look for internships.</p>
<p>Most History majors I know ended up as the boss at their business or law offices. Don’t know why that is, but I just figured I would throw that in there.</p>
<p>This question is silly. No degree is useless, though many are not vocational school, or job training programs.</p>
<p>A better question, and one we seem to be asking more frequently these days, is whether or not a history degree is too expensive. I would say, yes. It is too expensive. But not useless.</p>
<p>carry on.</p>
<p>“Too expensive” depends on the net price in relation to what the student and family can afford. There is quite a difference between a full ride somewhere, and list price at an expensive private school. (That can apply to any major, not just history.)</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus - that’s my take on it. Was I happier when D thought she wanted to major in a STEM field? Yes. But she is loving her dual History/English major, and is definitely developing the critical reasoning/effective writing skills employers claim they want. She worked hard to earn her substantial scholarship, and she’s working hard to maintain a high GPA. She’ll figure out her path when she graduates. And if it involves grad school, we can help with that since her undergrad costs are quite low due to her scholarship.</p>
<p>BTW, many of the people I work with in the corporate headquarters of a major national corporation have degrees in philosophy, english, spanish, communications, history, and other “useless” majors. Some went on to earn an MBA, some to law school, some landed good jobs with just their undergrad. There’s no one path that is optimal - or worst - for everyone.</p>
<p>Actually, please do go into politics. Then, we’d have at least one politician who knows that history repeats itself, has the critical thinking skills to learn from the past, and reads well enough to actually read the legislation before voting. </p>
<p>@sopranomom92 Can you elaborate some more? You’re saying I should double major in both History and Political Science?</p>
<p>What I am saying is that IMO a history degree teaches the student excellent skills in analyzing events, seeing connections and consequences of events and actions, communication skills, and an understanding of different perspectives. These are skills that politicians seem to be lacking these days. I’m saying that a history degree can prepare you for many different jobs because you will be a well-educated person in general.</p>
<p>There is no such thing as a useless college degree. Study what you love, learn to think critically, learn to communicate effectively and you will find your way. If you force yourself to follow a major which you have no passion for, it will be difficult to be successful. You can chose any path in life with any major.</p>
<p>I strongly believe in the advantages of a liberal arts education.</p>
<p>And yes, I was a history major.</p>
<p>Ditto on the above post. My undergrad major was Chemistry- loved it, to a point (the reason I chose medicine over chemistry grad school). I also had a liberal arts education, with an emphasis in a science. I even have the BA to prove it (met reqs for both BA and BS and liked the white tassel better). STEM majors also can get a liberal arts education, the two are not mutually exclusive. Just adding this because it irritates me when people think science majors won’t also be versed in liberal arts.</p>
<p>ANY college degree represents an education- the primary reason for college, not job skills as too many people seem to think. You will do best when you are happy and doing what you love. Adding courses for a job/career can be done. You will have your education for life, regardless of the career paths you follow.</p>
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<p>Science and math are parts of the liberal arts. Indeed, science and math majors often get a more well rounded liberal arts education than many humanities and social studies majors, who often take as few as possible science and math courses in college.</p>
<p>Many college majors, especially the traditional non-vocational ones, don’t track directly into paid employment. That doesn’t make them “useless.” Just understand that only some majors have immediate job market relevance. Those “relevant” majors, on the other hand, can also be somewhat limiting.</p>
<p>History is one of those majors that prepares you to do nothing and everything. You’ll have to figure out how to market yourself, but if you’re willing to go to the effort, it’s a good major.</p>
<p>Son’s best buddy from high school graduated with a history degree and a minor in German. He is currently an Airborne Ranger. And he graduated from our local state public uni. Other pal from high school also a history major from West Point and is the artillary(sp?) division someplace not so nice! Son was a econ major with a hellinic studies minor and he is med school and will be starting his MBA in the fall.</p>
<p>Great major, it’s what you do with it that makes it useful.</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>It is more about what you do. BS in political science w history minor. I manage in business. </p>